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May 3, 2014 | 01:38

UN appeals for calm in Ukraine

May 3 - Western allies and Russia exchange heated words at U.N Security Council over Ukraine violence. Paul Chapman reports

TRANSCRIPT +

The deadliest day yet in the Ukraine crisis on Friday saw heated words between Western allies and Russia at the U.N.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) VITALY CHURKIN, RUSSIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:
"In supporting those who perpetrated the coup d'etat in Kiev, in tapping out the protesters, the U.S. and E.U. bear great responsibility in destroying the path to a peaceful resolution to the crisis."
(SOUNDBITE)(English) MARK LYALL GRAND, UK AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:
"Russia's synthetic indignation over Ukraine's proportionate and measured actions convinces no-one."
(SOUNDBITE)(English) SAMANTHA POWER, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:
"The fact that Ukraine has taken some steps to try to restore order is to be expected."
A spokesman read out a statement from U.N chief Ban Ki-moon calling for calm.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) STEPHANE DUJARRIC, UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN, SAYING:
"He therefore urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint and appeals to those with grievances to voice them peacefully to as to avoid more bloodshed."
U.S. President Barack Obama says the militants' use of sophisticated weapons in Ukraine was telling.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"The notion that this is some spontaneous uprising in eastern Ukraine is belied by all the evidence of well-organised, trained, armed militias with the capacity to shoot down helicopters."
A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin aired by state broadcaster Russia 24 said Ukrainian authorities would answer for their military crackdown.
The dramatic language appears to raise the stakes.
Moscow has tens of thousands of troops on the border and claims the right to invade if necessary to protest Russian speaking civilians.

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